Hurricane Isaac does estimated $3 million in damage to Lake Pontchartrain Causeway

Damage inflicted on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway by Hurricane Isaac will tally about $3 million, a bridge consulting engineer said Wednesday. Cary Bourgeois, vice president of G.E.C. Inc. of Metairie, gave the Causeway Commission an overview of the problems at Wednesday's monthly meeting of the panel.

Pounding waves damaged and knocked off trays that run along the eastern side of each span and hold electric and fiber optic cables for bridge operations, Bourgeois said. The damage occurred in random spots along the entire length of the bridge, with the northbound span taking the worst hit, he said.

"We were on generator power for almost 3 weeks," because of the damage to the electrical system, bridge General Manager Carlton Dufrechou said.

Emergency repairs to trays and cables were completed Sept. 19 to secure the system and get it running again, he said, and a contract to make permanent repairs will be bid out.

Trays eventually will be fortified with a cover and additional brackets to hold them in place, Bourgeois said.

Other damage to the bridge included:

The loss of eight spans at the old 9-mile turnaround due to high water and waves. The turnaround, which has been closed to motorists for many years, runs beneath the southbound bridge and is vulnerable because it is close to the water.

Damage to the fender systems that protect the bridge openings at the north and south channels.

Missing and damaged signs, including damage to the variable message boards that provide alerts to motorists. Most of the message boards are operational again, but emergency repairs continue, Dufrechou said.

Erosion at several locations at the northern end of the bridge and toll plaza, including riprap that was washed away from beneath the northbound span.